• Tag Archives Macintosh

  •  Myst (PC, Macintosh)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Myst (PC, Macintosh) – 1994




    Myst was one of the earliest “multimedia” games for PCs. In fact, this ad refers to the game being available for the Macintosh and “on MPC”. Confusing terminology if you ask me but they basically meant a PC with a CD-ROM drive.

    Myst was a 3D adventure game. It was basically a point-and-click type adventure with “photorealistic” graphics. The graphics were very good for the time and the game gave you an excellent sense of exploration. However, while I enjoy the older 2D point-and-click adventures, particularly the likes of Maniac Mansion, Myst always seemed to lack personality to me. I just never really cared for it or its sequels.

    Having said that, Myst was an immensely popular game and my opinion didn’t seem to be shared by most. In fact, it was the best selling PC game until the Sims came along almost a decade later and played a significant role in the popularization of the CD-ROM format. If you enjoy adventure games (or puzzle games), you may very well enjoy Myst. It’s certainly worth a try as it was an important evolutionary step in the genre.

    While initially developed for the Macintosh and ported to the PC, its popularity meant that there would be many other ports and sequels. The original was ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PS3, PSP, Android, iPhone, 3DS, Jaguar CD, Amiga, CD-i and 3DO. There was also an unreleased Sega CD port. Myst has also been re-released on the PC and Mac multiple times with the most recent version being realMyst: Masterpiece Edition V2.0 which was released on Steam in 2015. In addition, there have also been four direct sequels as well as several spin-offs. If you like Myst, then there are plenty of ways to play it and plenty of sequels to keep you busy.


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  • Omega

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    video-games-computer-entertainment-issue-11-december-1989-page-180

    Source: VideoGames & Computer Entertainment – December 1989

    Omega (not to be confused with Omega Race) by Origin was really a game ahead of its time given that it was released in 1989. The goal was to build a tank with a certain budget, program it, and then pit your tank against others. As you win battles, your budget increases and you can build better tanks for more difficult challenges. You could even create your own battlefields.

    Omega was ahead of its time in a couple of ways. Part of the game involved actually programming your tank. There were various AI script commands that could be used that were reminiscent of BASIC. There were instructions that allowed control of various functions of the tanks as well as others that allowed communication and coordination between tanks. The code used to program the tanks was cross-platform so Omega players from different platforms could still compete with each other. For a while there was even an official Omega BBS to facilitate this.

    Omega was available for several platforms including the Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIgs, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS and Macintosh. The ad above mentions all of these with the Apple IIgs and Macintosh versions “coming soon”. This game has never had a sequel or been remade but I think it would be an excellent candidate to remake today. I’m not aware of anything quite like it. If you want to give this one a try, any of the versions are pretty good and there really isn’t a significant difference in terms of game play. The 16-bit versions will have somewhat better graphics in most cases but it isn’t a big deal for this game. Pick your favorite platform and give it a try.

    The above ad is from the December 1989 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment.


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  • MacAddict (May 1997)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

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    Source: MacAddict – Issue Number 9 – May 1997

    1997 was arguably the year Apple started to turn things around. Their marketshare had been fading for a while (not that it was every particularly high back in those days) but Steve Jobs was back. The iMac would be introduced later in the year and the PowerBook was becoming something special (if absurdly expensive).

    MacAddict was an enthusiasts magazine for the Macintosh. It was more or less equivalent to something like Maximum PC today but for the Mac. The May 1997 issue includes:

    Highlights

    • Super-Smart Desktops – No matter whether you’re a list maker or an unstoppable slob, we can help you get your desktop under control. Find out how to organize folders and files, manage menus, create cool desktop patterns, and more.
    • ICONtemplation – Believe it or not, there is an art to making beautiful icons. Our resident iconfabulator teaches you how to add perspective, eliminate jaggies, create shadows, and more.
    • Welcome to MacAddict Lab – It’s not your everyday lab. Nope, far from it. Take a behind-the scenes peek at how we really test products.
    • Ropin’ In Extensions – Ever opened that Extensions folder in your System Folder? Scared by what you saw? It has never beene asier to take control of those extensions, thanks to our hands-on guide.
    • This Old Mac – There’s a right way to upgrade and a wrong way. We show you the right way to upgrade a Mac IIci, IIcx, and IIsi.

    How To

    • Use MacBug – Learn eight things you can do with this underused utility, including recover from crashes, discover the meaning of error messages, and salvage files.
    • Put Up a Web Page Fast – The clock is ticking. You’ve got less than three minutes to put up a Web page. What do you do?

    Every Month

    • Editor’s Note – A warm, fuzzy missive on the most personal of computers – the Mac.
    • Letters – More madness from our readers, as well as a few sensible questions (and answers, too!).
    • Get Info – Introducing the Twentieth Anniversary Mac, a contest for winning an Epson color printer, five browser plug-ins that you must have, more on Java, and our Pick-a-Steve survey.
    • Cravings – Slurp ’em up! Six superhot products that will make you pant.
    • Reviews – All new stuff! The MessagePad 2000, Mah Jong Parlour, Lightwave, Rama, Fetch, and more!
    • Ask Us – Defragmenting your hard drive, icons gone wacko, understanding IDE drives, and other techie questions answered.
    • PowerPlay – Get the hard facts on how MacSoft will affect the future of Mac gaming.
    • Shut Down – Oddball clippings from the bizarre world of computers.

    The Disc

    • Thousands of desktop patterns, icons, and customization utilities jampacked onto The Disc. Plus, a contest to win Command & Conquer, original music, and a new interface!

    Online

    • Get your daily fill of Mac stuff on our Web site. We’ve got hot news from Apple; we’ve got areas of interest for gamers, artists, Mac aficianados, Net survers, and productivity Mavens; we’ve got just tons of Mac regalia!

    ..and more!


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